Vehicle-wheel.



H. C. DAUPHINAIS.

VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLICATION HLED APR. 16, 1913. RENEWED JULY 1S. 1916.

LQWJLM. Patented Feb. 6,1917.

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H. C. DAUPHINAIS.

VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLiCATlON FILED APR.16.19I3- RENEWED JULY 18. 1916.

1,215,1M. Patented Feb. 6,1917. 3 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS WITNESSES H. C. DAUPHINAIS.

' VEHICLE WHEEL. APPLICATION FILED APR.16.1913- RENEWED JULY 18. ms.

Patented Feb. 6,1917.-

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- z? 20 w [7 /ZZV I J m V w S K I WITNESSLQS INVENTOR MM2&7??? idly/26177 2 3 ATTORNEYS Application filed April 16, 1913, SerialNo. 761,487. Renewed July 18,

UNITED STTE@ PATENT HENRY CLEMENT DAUPHINAIS, OF FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA.

VEHICLE-WHEEL.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. DAUPHI- NAIS, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Fargo, in the county of Cass and State ofNorth Dakota, have invented a new and Improved Vehicle-WVheel, of whichthe following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are:to provide a wheel the frame whereof is resilient to form a yieldingstructure intermediate the tread of the wheel and thehub thereof; toform a wheel divided in its structure to form distinct portions mutuallysupported by resilient members adapted to receive the load strain of thevehicle; to provide a system of pneumatic cushions interposed betweenseparated wheel sections to carry the load strain of the vehicle, thepneumatlc members being intercommunicating; and to provide suitablebuffers between the separated portions of the wheel to form aids to theresilient members to carry an overload on said resilient members.

With these objects in view the invention consists in constructing avehicle wheel in two sections, an outer or perimeter and an inner or hubsection. Each of these sections is provided with a series of radiallydisposed and interspaced spokes, each series of said spokes beingrigidly connected by ring-like members having formed therein guides forthe opposite series of spokes.

It further consists in providing a system of interconnected pneumaticcushion mem bers disposed between the opposite members of the oppositeseries of spokes.

It further consists in disposing within the guide portions of the saidconnecting members resilient buffers.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the structureillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters ofreference denote corresponding parts in all the views, and in whichFigure 1 is a side view of a wheel constructed and arranged inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view, in vertical longitudinal section,showing a frag- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 191?.

1916. Serial no. 110,007.

ment of a wheel constructed and arranged in accordance with the presentinvention;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line H in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 2.

A distinctive feature of the present invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings consists in the separation of the framework of thewheel in two distinct portions, which, for the convenience ofdescription will hereinafter be termed the inner wheel and the outerwheel. Both wheels are, in themselves, rigid. The resiliency of thecompleted vehicle wheel resides in the me1nbers interposed between themembers of the said inner wheel and outer wheel. The inner wheel isprovided with a hub 11 of any suit able and approved construction.Rigidly mounted upon the hub 11 are the spokes 12. Any number of spokes12 may be employed. The spokes are spaced apart substantially as shownin the drawings to extend between the corresponding spokes of the outerwheel. The outer extremities of the spokes 12 are rigidly connected bythe ring 13. The ring 13 is provided at suitable intervals with loops 11 through which are extended the spokes of the outer wheel. The loops 1%are elongated to receive the spiral springs 15, which springs 15 arenormally separated from the spokes of the outer wheel, but arejuxtaposed thereto to engage the same whenever the said spokes of theouter wheel are moved lengthwise of the loops 14. In the transversedimension of the loops 14 they fit snugly and form guides for thecontrol of the said spokes of the outer wheel.

The outer wheel primarily consists of the rim 16 from which at intervalsare inwardly extended the spokes 17. It is the spokes 17 to whichreference is above made as being extended through and guided by theloops 142. At the extreme inner end of the spokes 17 the said spokes arerigidly united by a connecting tube 18. The tube 18, as shown in thedrawings, extends between each of I the spokes 17, and is provided withthe offset portions 19, offset to avoid the independent swing ormovement of the spokes 12. The tube 18 is provided with an opening whichcommunicates with the passage 20 formed adjacent the inner end of eachof the spokes 17, and for the purpose hereinafter described. It isthrough the tube 18 and the valve A3, that air is pumped into the globes26.

To guide the spokes 12 relative to the spokes 17 a connecting rod 21 isemployed. Each of the said rods is provided with an elongated loop 22.Each end of the rods 21 is guided in a cylinder 24. Each rod 21 ispivotally connected with and supports the collars 34:, by the rod 45, atthe opposite end of which is the guide collar 16.

A vehicle wheel, when constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, provides for supporting the load strain on the spokes 12which are horizontally extended from the axle held within the hub 11. Tomaintain the relative disposition of the spokes 12 and 17 there isprovided a series of hollow rubber are distributed in paired relation.Each pair is pneumatically connected by a passage 27 formed by the tubes28 and a bore through the spokes 17. The tubes28 are securely bolted tothe spokes 17 and are extended through a central perforation in the cups29 and through perforations in the globes 26. The ends of the tubes 28are overturned to form curled sections 30,

under the overturned edges whereof the globes 26 are held. Each cup 29is supported on a plate 31. Each plate 31 is rigidly secured to a spoke17 by means of arms 32 and 32 and by studs 33.

Slidably mounted on each of the spokes 12 is a collar 3%. Bolted to theside of each collar 34: adjacent the globe 26 is a metal cup 35. Acrossthe openings of the cups 35 is extended a canvas or other fabric cover36. If desired, a similar canvas may be stitched over the cups 29. Theglobes 26 are secured to the'center of the covers 36 to maintain thealinement thereof. The covers 36 serve to form the non-abrasive surfacefor the reception of the globes when the same are compressed during theoperation of the vehicle wheels.

To avoid friction or torsional strain upon the globes 26 the collars 3Aare provided with bearing rollers 37. The rollers 37, as seen best inFig. 4.- of the drawings, are arranged on the four sides of the collarsto avoid any pinching or jamming strain of the collar on the spoke 12during the operation of the wheel or the pressure of the globes 26thereupon.

The rim 16 may be constructed of any globes 26. The globes 26 tionrubber or cork. In the preferred construction it is held betweentheclamping plates 38 which constitute the tire cover or shoe and the innerrim 39 of the outer wheel. At intervals the plates 38 and rim 39 arestamped to form bolting recesses 10 and to receive the heads of thebolts 11 and the nuts 4:2 provided therefor. It will be understood thatany usual and approved design of the plate 38 may be employed. The platemay be perforated to permit the protrusion of the rim 16 whereby thefrictional engagement of the material of the rim 16 would be added tothe wearing virtue of the plate 38.

By means of the arrangement of the globes 26 and the connection of eachpair 7 thereof with the passages 20 formed in each of the spokes 17 andof the passage in the tube 18, a universal distribution of the aircontained in the pneumatic system is insured; and by the use of thevalve 13, the whole pneumatic system may be replenished. In this mannereach of the globes 26 is compelled to contribute to the resistance ofthe load strain, stated, is exerted primarily 26, which at any momentthe spokes 12 which at that moment are in the horizontal position.Secondarily the globes 26 which are beneath the spokes 12 next adjacentthe horizontal spokes'12 are compressed under the load strain,diminishing gradually toward the globes beside thespoke 12 which is atthe moment vertically disposed in the vehicle wheel. As the globes 26are compressed on the lower on those globes which, as above areunderneath and so, 7

half of the vehicle wheel the air is trans-- ferred through the tube 18for distribution equally to the globes not under compression, or oflesser compression. It will be understood that the load strain iscarried in each instance by the globe26 whichis beneath one of thespokes 12.

Having thus described. my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is "1. A vehicle wheel, having a hub sectionand a rim section, said sections being structurally separated; a serlesof spokes mounted rlgidly on said hub section to radiate therefrom,thediametric spread or disposed between the sides of. the spokes of saidseries, to support the weight of said sections laterally on said spokes;and a plurality of rings, each rigidly connecting the ends of one ofsaid series of spokes, to support the same. suitable material such aswood, composl- 2. A vehicle Wheel, having a hub section and a rimsection, said sections being structurally separated; a series of spokesmounted rigidly on said hub section to radiate therefrom, the diametricspread of said spokes being less than the inner diameter of said rimsection; a second series of spokes mounted rigidly on said rim sectionto converge therefrom in line with the center thereof; a plurality ofresilient members .disposed between the sides of the spokes of saidseries, to support the weight of said sections laterally on said spokes;means operatively connecting said resilient members throughout saidwheel to transfer and equalize the pressure therein; and a 15 pluralityof rings, each rigidly connecting the ends of one of said series ofspokes, to support the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence 20 of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY CLEMENT DAUPHINAIS.

Witnesses:

H. AMERLAND, L. A. JAooBsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

